RECIPES 

Wed. Sept. 18,1996

Brownie Cheesecake Bars

This recipe is from Spice Islands.

BROWNIE LAYER:                              CHEESCAKE LAYER:
1 1/2 sticks of butter{6 oz.) softened      2 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese     
3/4 cup sugar                                               softened
3  large eggs                               2 large eggs
2 tsp. SPICE ISLANDS Pure Vanilla Extract   3/4 cup sugar
8 oz. bar chocolate, melted (buy the best)  2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa power             4 tsp. SPICE ISLANDS Pure
1/2 cup all-purpose flour                          Vanilla Extract
1/4 tsp. baking powder                      TOPPING:
Pinch of salt                               1 square (1 oz.) semisweet
1 tsp, instant espresso or instant coffee            chocolate, melted
        disove in 1/8 c. of warm water

To make brownie layer, chop chocolate into small pieces and melt over a 
double boiler or in the microwave. With and electric mixer, cream butter
and sugar until light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time and mix until 
completely incorporated before adding the next egg. Beat in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt 
together. Add melted chocolate to creamed butter and sugar and mix well.
Slowly add flour mixture to butter and chocolate and mix on low speed.
Add instant espresso or coffee dissolved in water and mix until 
incorporated. Stir in chopped toasted nuts. Spread in a greased 9x13 in.
baking pan.

To make cheesecake layer, with clean bowl and beater, beat cream cheese 
with electric mixer until light. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Slowly add eggs, being sure each egg is well incorporated before adding
the next. Add vanilla. Once vanilla is mixed in, add the flour and mix 
until smooth. Spread over brownie layer. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to
35 min. The center of the cheesecake should jiggle slightly when the pan
is shaken when it is done. (Tent with foil after 15 to 20 min. if needed
to prevent overbrowing.) Cool on wire rack and the chill. Remove from the
refrigerator one hour before serving.

Cut into bars. Drizzle melted chocolate over cheese layer in thin,
diagonal lines. Store in refrigerator.